Room 13 South Africa

The problem we aim to solve:

Over half of the public schools in South Africa cannot afford to provide Arts as a subject due to lack of resources and the prioritisation of maths and science.

The solution our project offers:

Room 13 provides an art studio environment for underprivileged children to unfurl their imagination, giving them an opportunity to express themselves in anything from painting and drawing to drama, poetry and storytelling.

The impact our project had so far:

The programme has impacted over 2000 learners in over 7 schools over the last decade.

Who is behind this project?

About the project

Room13 creates a forum through which artists and young people can engage with different sectors of society, gain experience that enhances their curriculum learning and benefit from the international relationships and cultural exchange that they themselves have developed.

The studios provide a safe place where children can go after school. It runs on the principle that any child can be an artist and every child is welcome. It’s unique in that each studio is run by the school children themselves, as their own business. Their Artist-in-Residence is their employee, not their teacher.

The goal of Room 13 is to develop the art, life and entrepreneurial skills of South Africa’s disadvantaged youth. Art becomes not just another medium of self-expression but a lightning rod to develop their self-esteem and sense of purpose. There are seven Room 13 art studios in schools across South Africa.